Insecticide atomizer



April 24, 1951 H. R. RICH 2,550,164

INSECTICIDE ATOMIZER Filed July 31, 1947 mmvrog. [7 marzfZfic/z,

BY Mwm Patented Apr. 24, 1951 INSECTICIDE ATOMIZER Hyman Richard Rich,Chicago, 111., assignor to West Disinfecting Company, Long Island City,N. Y., a corporation 01; New York Application July 31, 1947, Serial No.764,974

2 Claims. (01. 299-86) 5 The present invention relate generally toatomizers, and more particularly to a spraying type of atomizer foratomizing a liquid insecticide and spreading it in a form of cloud orfog over a relatively large area.

factories, Warehouses, bakeries, kitchens and in- 'numerable othersituations where insect control is desired.

In order to be effective, where insect kill is desired, the liquidinsecticide should be diffused into a veritable fog. My improvedatomizer has been designed and constructed to disseminate a relativelydry mist of insect-killing droplets of extremely small size, about eightmicrons or so. As aresult of thisextremely fine atomization, nocondensation is noticeable, at least the extremely small particleswill'not wet or condense on tables, walls, etc., or any other equipmentwith which they come in contact provided that the atomizer is inoperation the proper length of time.

Another particular feature of my improved atomizer herein disclosed isan improved constant level feed arrangement which automaticallymaintains the liquid insecticide at a substantially constant level inthe tank or'liquid reservoir from which the aspirating nozzles draw theinsecticide. This constant level control is obtained by supplying theinsecticide through a supply pipe to the atomizer under a constantlyacting pressure or gravity head, and utilizing a float controlled inletvalve associated with the atomizer for maintaining a substantiallyconstant liquid level in the liquid reservoir of the atomizer. Thisfeature avoids the labor of feeding the liquid reservoir by hand-pouringfrom another container, and avoids the uncertainties and irregularitiesof such hand feeding. In some installations there may be a large numberof these atomizing units, and in most instances they are disposed quitecloseto the ceiling of the These insecticide atomizers have verywidespread application to 1' other nozzles. 30

room, from which it will be seen that it is quite .a laborious task tohand feed a large number of these atomizer units. My improvedautomatically operating constant level control is also advantageous overprior types of feed systems which are manually turned on at intervalswhen it appears to the operator that the supply in the atomizerreservoirs may be getting low. This stillleaves the supply of the liquidinsecticide subject to human error and forgetfulness. Still further,such manually controlled feeding arrangements necessarily result in wideVariations of liquid level iri each reservoir, starting with arelatively high level immediately after each feed ing interval and then'dropping'down to a-low level or no level at allafter a series ofspraying operations or after'a relatively long spraying operation. Suchwide'variations of liquid level adversely affect the" desired object ofproducing an extremely fine atomization for obtaininga relatively drymist of extremely small droplets. When the device is subject to a widrangeof liquidlevel, the 'aspirating nozzle from which the liquid isatomized lift the liquid through'a relatively short head when the liquidlevel in the reservoir is high, and lift the liquid through a relativelylarge head when the liquid level in the reservoir is low. This variationof suction lift results in objectionable variations in the atomi--zation of the liquid at the nozzle outlet. This objection is avoided bymy improved atomizer characterized by a float controllet inlet valvewhich maintains a substantially constant level of the liquid insecticidein the reservoir.

In my improved atomizer I preferably employ approximately ten or twelveseparate liquid'nozzles, and I arrangeeach of these .nozzles to drawliquid from the reservoir through its "own individual feed 'tube,so thatthe-accidental, plugging or restriction ofone'liquid nozzl or itsindividual feed tube will notdisturb the feed to the other nozzles north effective liquid level supplying. the

The aspiration and atomization of the liquid insecticide at each liquidnozzle is effected by a high velocity jet of gas projected'inpredetermined aspirating relation to the liquid nozzle.

This gas is usually compressed air, but where that is not readilyavailable it is also practicable to employ steam, carbon dioxide orany-other suitable gas under pressure as the'propellant "and. atomizingmedium. This compressed air, steam orcgas is fed to each atomizing unitthrough asystem of pipin which is substantially parallel to the systemof piping which supplies theliquid insecticide to the atomizing unit.Another feature which I employ in my--improved atomizer is a unitassembly arrangement wherein each atomizer has a section of liquidsupply pipeand a section of air supply pipe fixedly joined thereto inthe unit assembly, so

that each atomizer and its associated sections of liquid supply pipe andair supply pipe are shipped as a unit, delivered asa unit, and installedas a unit. This simplifies the handling and the installation problemandgreatly reduces the number of connections which have to be made bythe workman-in the installation ofthe atomizer.

Other features, objects and advantages of the 3. invention will appearfrom the following detail description of certain preferred embodimentsthereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of myinvention adapted for fixed installation;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the liquid reservoirshowing the arrangement of the liquid aspirating nozzles and the air jetno'z- 4 zles; and H V p Figure 3 is a detail view showing the floatcontrolled inlet valve. V g M e Referring first to Figure 1, theatomizer alone is designated Ill, and comprises a liquid reservoir ll,preferably in the form of a casting composed of aluminum or one of thelighter non-corrosive alloys. As shown in Figure 2, the reservoir is ofsubstantially cylindricalform except that along the:upper portion. it isformed with a flat deck wall l2'through which extend the liquidaspiratin'g nozzles I3. Formed integral with the reservoir and extendinglongitudinally above the lienter of this top deck wall I2 is an airconduit or manifold I l from which extends the air jet nozzles [5 inaspirating relation to the liquid atomizingnozzles [3. This air manifoldi4 is integrally joined with the liquid reservoir through the Verticalrib Hi. The Ends Of the reservoir chamber ll have relatively largeopenings [8 cored therein; which are adapted to be closed by removableend plates I9 secured to the reservoir casting by cap screws 2|. I Theautomatic float valve mechanism is inserted into the reservoir l'lthrough one of these end openin s 18, as I m presently describe. A topfiller opening M is also mounted 'ina'thre'aded mounting sleeve orbushmg 21 provided with a hexagonal head portion 28. The threadedbushing?! screws down into a threaded hole 29 the Shelf Oi deck portionI? of the reservoir, When screwed into place, the

Loi the tube extends down substantially below the substantially constantliquid -ieve1 maintained in' the reservoir II. T prefsta ly insert asmall sleeve in the lower end of the tune 26. This sleeve prevents anydirt sarucies entering the tube which might lodge as higherle'vel in thetube, and such sleeve can also be utilized for calibrating or meteringpurposes, if desired. If desired, the threaded mounting plug 2I can bescrewed upwardly or downwardly in the hole and 'diiierent thicknesses ofshims may be employe under the hekagonalhead '28, if it should bedesired to adjust the upper discharge nd 5f ube 26 toa predeterminedpoint relative to thelevel enue air discharge stream occurring from theassociated air 'jet nozzle I5.

Reierring now to the construction and mountmg ofathese air Je n z le t-a m mas. i

' forrned with a series o'fspaced po s projecting laterally from eachside thereof at points corresponding to each of the liquid nozzles I3.

These bosses are angularly inclined at increasing angles each way fromthe central jet so as to give a wide angle of distribution coveringalmost the entire circular area around the insecticide atomizer. Each ofthese bosses 3| has an internally threaded passageway 32 opening intothe interior of the air manifold. The air nozzle l5 comprises a threadedshank portion 33 and a hexagonal head portion 34, the threaded shankportion being screwed into the threaded passageway 32. The dischargeorifice of the air nozzle is disposed substantially on a line with thetip end of the fuel nozzle l3.

Referring now to the automatic float valve mechanism, the liquidinsecticide is conducted to the atomizer unit through the supply tube 35which has detachable coupling with an inlet fitting '36. This inletfitting has a threaded stem portion 31 which passes through an aperturein one of the cover plates [9, being secured to this cover plate by nuts39 screwing over the stem. A bracket extension 4| projecting from theinner end 'of the threaded stern carries a transverse pivot pin 4-2.This bracket extension is longitudinally slotted, and a lever M ismounted in this slot for pivotal movement around the pivot pin 42. Theupper end of said lever is pivotally connected at 45 with a valve stern46 which extends into the fitting 'o'r valve body 36 and carries aninlet valve 4'! at its inner end adapted to close an inlet part '38. Thelower end of the lever 44 has connection with an arm extending from oneend of a relatively long cylindrical float 52. If desired, theconnection between. the lever A}! and arm 5| may be arranged for angularadjustment, as by providing a threaded hole 53 in the lever andutilizing a clamping screw which threads into this opening foririctionaHy clamping the lever arid arm together in any desired angularsetting. This adjustment enables the predetermined liquid level withinthe reservoir to be set at any desired point. The float 52 and the valveoperating linkage 51 and M areso proportioned that they can be readilyinserted into the reservoir through the end opening [8, This fioatcontrolled inlet valve is operative to maintain a substantially constantliquid level within the reservoir ll between very close limits. 7 e

Theinsecticide supply tube 35 is 'connected with the outlet side of aninsecticide strainer 55. This may be of conventional type comprising afine mesh straining screen and also a glass bowl servmg as a trap forremoving sediment and any heavier liquids. The inlet side of thisstrainer isconne'cted through any conventional pipe fittings 55 with theinsecticide supply "pipe or header i qn .5

litef erring now to the compressed 'air connect ion to the air manifoldit, both ends of this manifold have internally threaded bosses 6!, and anipple 62 extends from one of these bosses for connection with theoutlet side of an air strainer 63. This strainer comprises a fine meshscreen for removing any dirt or foreign particles from the air streamwhich might plug any of the air "jet nozzles 15. In addition, thisstrainer may also include a blow-off valve. The inlet side of thisstrainer has connection through conventional pipe fittings 65 with theair supply pipe or air header 65.

Referringnow to the above described unit as- "semblyarrangement whereinthe atomizer ll, liquid strainer 55, air strainer 63, liquid header 58andair header 66 are all assembled as a unit, transported as a unit, andinstalled as a unit,

. ceiling and then coupling these it will be seen that the air andliquid headers are disposed in superposed relation directly above thecenter of the atomizer II and extending Ion-- gitudinally thereof. Thetwo headers or supply line sections 58 and 56 are coupled together invertically spaced relation by double pipe clamps H, H. Each double clampconsists of two duplicate straps or stampings having semicircular bendsl2 embracing opposite sides of the header pipes, and having flat end andintermediate portions 13 which are clamped together by bolts M. A hangerbar 75 engages over the upper bolt 14 between the upper clamping ends13, and carries a ceiling lag screw 16 at its upper end adapted to bescrewed up into the ceiling of the room or other enclosure, In thismanner, the entire unit assembly can be quickly and easily hung in placeby merely screwing the lag screws 16 into the lag screws to the hangerbars 15 by the bolts 11.

The right hand end of the atomizer H is suspended from the adjacenthanger by screwing a I short nipple "18 into the right hand threadedboss of the air manifold and closing off this nipple by an end cap 79. Aclamping band BI is then clamped around the nipple l8 and is connectedto the lower end of the adjacent hanger assembly by a bolt 82. Theliquid and air supply headers 58 and 66 may be provided withconventional threaded ends for receiving standard couplings or unions,or the ends of these headers may be furnished with any desired couplingor union devices, for establishing ready connection with sections ofpipe leading to other unit assemblies or to the sources of insecticidesupply or air supply. Thus, it will be seen that the entire assemblyshown in Figure 1 can be constructed, shipped, sold and installed as asingle unit, so that it is only necessary to mount the lag screws 16 andestablish appropriate pipe connections with the ends of the supplyheaders 58 and 66. Flat supporting feet 84 project laterally from thebottom of the reservoir I l for supporting the assembly in uprightposition during shipment, storage and the like.

Instead of being stationarily mounted, my improved atomizer can beconstructed and arranged for movement through the area to be sprayed.For example, my atomizer may be used for spraying the interiors ofrailroad passenger cars at the end of the run or at periodic intervalswhen the cars are being cleaned. For this type of service, my improvedatomizer is mounted on parallel runners, similar to sled runners. whichare fastened to the horizontal supporting feet 84. The atomizer is thenslowly pulled along the aisle of the car, so that the atomizing nozzlesproject the liquid insecticide in all directions under the car seats andinto the edges and grills of the railroad car. The compressed air issupplied to the atomizer through a flexible hose, which can be used topull the atomizer along the aisle. For thistype of service the atomizermay be provided with additional vertical nozzles which direct theinsecticide fog into the upper strata of the car, thereby penetratingthe air-cooling system where vermin may be nesting.

I preferably employ air pressures ranging anywhere from 50 to 100 poundsper square inch in each of the above described embodiments of theinvention.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferredembodiments of my invention, nevertheless, it will be understood thatthey are merely exemplary and that numerous modifications andrearrangements may be made therein without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. In an insecticide atomizer, the combination of a liquid-holding tankfor liquid insecticide,

said tank consisting of an elongated cylindrical container having a flattop, an air manifold secured on and located above the flat top, saidmanifold including a plurality of air jets extending from its oppositesides, a liquid siphon tube for each jet extending through the flat topof the tankv and entering into the tank, the upper end of each tubebeing positioned adjacent to one of the jets and above the flat top, anair-supply pipe located above and extending substantially parallel tothe air manifold and coupled to one end of said manifold, aliquid-supply pipe located above the air-supply pipe and extendingsubstantially parallel thereto, said liquid supply pipe being coupled tothe tank, float-controlled valve means associated with said tank forautomatically maintaining a substantially constant liquid level therein,hangers coupling together the air manifold and the air and liquid-supplypipes, and supporting means at the bottom of the tank on which the tankcan be rested and on which said tanks and the pipes coupled there to canbe moved as a unit.

2. In an insecticide atomizer, the combination of a liquid-holding tankfor liquid insecticide, the tank consisting of an elongated container,an air manifold secured on and located above the top of the container,said manifold being provided with air jet nozzles, siphon tubes for theair jet nozzles entering the tank and having upper ends located adjacentto the air jet nozzles, an air supply pipe located above the tank andabove the manifold, one end of the manifold being connected into saidpipe, a suspension hanger connected to the other end of the manifold andhaving a part embracing the air-supply pipe, a fluid supply pipearranged parallel to the air-supply pipe, the fluid supply pipe beingconnected to one end of the tank, the suspension hanger having a partembracing the fluid supply pipe and maintaining it in spaced andparallel relation to the air pipe, and a second suspension hangerextending between the air and fluid supply pipes and holding the same inspaced and parallel relation.

HYMAN RICHARD RICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

